Disclaimer: This post is meant to be used for educational purposes. Mentions of flat fee MLS companies and links in this post do not constitute an endorsement. Individual program details can change — please visit a provider’s website for the most current information on rate packages, fees, service areas, and more. HomeLight always recommends doing your own research to determine which selling option is best for your situation. If you’re considering selling your home without the help of a real estate agent, you may want to use a flat fee MLS service to reach potential buyers. A flat fee MLS company helps “for sale by owner” (FSBO) sellers to list their homes in the local multiple listing service (MLS) without the assistance of a Realtor. In this article, we explain the pros and cons of using a flat fee MLS service, how they work, and what you might pay. We’ll also give you an overview of some flat fee MLS listing services that are available throughout the U.S. To help you decide whether a listing service is the right choice for you, we spoke with HomeLight Elite real estate agent, Brett Keyser, who sells homes 58% faster than the average agent in Sarasota, Florida. “The number one reason people go with flat fee MLS service is that they’re looking to save money,” says Keyser. Let’s get started. A flat fee MLS is a limited service that helps sellers get their FSBO (for sale by owner) homes on the local multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS is a private directory of for-sale homes that real estate professionals use to share home details with each other. Because the local MLS is one of the best ways to market your home to potential buyers and get maximum exposure, it’s vital to list your home on the local MLS. Unfortunately, only licensed real estate agents or Realtors can post listings on the MLS. If you’re selling your home without the help of a listing agent, you can still have your property listed on the MLS with the help of a flat fee MLS service. A flat fee MLS service might be the right choice for you if: You’re looking to save on the cost of a real estate commission.
Homesellers who hire a listing agent typically pay a 5% to 6% real estate commission, which is split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. A listing service can help you eliminate the cost of a listing agent (2.5% to 3%). Instead, you’ll pay a flat fee of $89 to $1,299, depending on the company and level of service you choose. But, you’ll still pay the buyer’s commission in addition to the cost of any other services you use to help you sell your home. If you’re considering using a flat fee listing service, know that the money you save in commission may be offset by the selling price of your home. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sellers who use an agent to sell a home typically make $58,000 more on their sale price than FSBO sellers. You have a desirable home and it’s a hot market.
A desirable home in a hot market may sell itself. Listing your home in the MLS may bring multiple buyers and competitive offers your way. However, you’ll still be responsible for all aspects of your home sale. You want to be very involved in your home sale.
If you have previous home selling experience, and you’re craving a challenge, you may want to take full control of your home sale. A FSBO sale may be your chance to shine. A flat fee MLS is the first step in your home-selling journey. You don’t want to work with a listing agent.
Not all agents are the same. That said, for whatever reason you choose not to work with an agent, a flat fee MLS company allows you to forgo the services of a licensed agent and still get your home listed on the MLS. You have the time and energy to invest in the home-selling process.
Depending on the level of service you purchase from a flat fee company, you may need to take on a variety of tasks normally handled by a real estate agent. “Until they sell their own house, a lot of people don’t realize what goes into listing, marketing, selling a property, and overseeing the transaction,” says Keyser. Even with a flat fee listing service, you’ll typically need the time, energy and know-how to: Pros: The advantages of using a flat fee listing company in your FSBO sale include: Cons: The disadvantages of using a flat fee listing company for your FSBO sale include: Once you’ve decided to list your home with a flat fee listing service, you’ll follow these steps to get your FSBO home on the MLS: Step 1: Vet the flat fee MLS service
Research the local service you’d like to use, including packages and rates. Be sure to look up Google reviews and check out the company on the Better Business Bureau. Before you proceed, know how much information you’ll be able to list, how many photos you can post, what forms are available free of charge, and what add-ons come at an additional charge. Step 2: Register and select a plan
Register on the flat fee MLS company website, select the package you want, and pay the upfront fee online. Step 3: Enter your property information
Describe your property and upload photos. If your service offers it, fill out the disclosure form. Step 4: Read and sign your listing agreement
Sign the listing agreement. Be sure to read your listing agreement thoroughly to ensure you can cancel without penalty and won’t owe a listing commission. Step 5: Review your live listing
Once you complete your listing, the listing company will publish it to the local MLS, which means it will be visible to buyer agents. Depending on the company you choose, it will most likely be posted on real estate websites such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. However, it can take a couple of days, or longer to populate. It’s a good idea to review how your listing is displaying on real estate sites to be certain it’s correct and complete. A flat fee MLS service can be effective. Buyers’ agents use the MLS to find homes that fit their client’s needs, download detailed information and disclosures, and schedule showings. Most major home search websites are populated by the MLS. Because the local MLS is one of the best ways to market your home and get your home in front of buyers, it’s crucial to list your FSBO home on the local MLS. However, the NAR reports that FSBO home sales fell to a record low in recent years – just 7% of the housing market. Not only are FSBO homes a minority of those available, but also, nearly 90% of buyers purchase a house using a buyer’s agent. The same NAR data also shows that real estate agents are more effective when it comes to securing higher net proceeds. You have many local and national choices regarding flat fee MLS services. Fees range from $89 to $1,299, depending on your service level. Some listing services offer more options at better rates, and some options are only available if you pay an add-on fee or upgrade your service level. Limited agent assistance may also be available at an additional cost. As you consider your options, you will want to weigh the different services and fees against the possible benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some examples of flat fee MLS listing companies in the U.S. Website: FSBO.com
Phone: 800-690-5802
Email: [email protected] About: Established in 1997 in Atlanta, Georgia, FSBO.com covers major MLS in the U.S. except North Dakota. Their MLS package includes an FSBO listing on their website and an MLS listing with syndication for six months. All other options vary by state or may be available at an added cost. Once you order the MLS package, FSBO.com refers your request to an agent who will contact you to complete your listing. Reviews and rating summary: Because FSBO.com is a nationwide flat fee MLS company, you’ll be paired with a third-party broker in the market where you are selling your home. As such, the company does not appear to have a Google business or Yelp profile for unbiased companywide reviews, and service may vary from state to state. FSBO.com holds a 4 out of 5-star rating on the Better Business Bureau website, but it is averaged from only two reviews. Website: houzeo.com
Phone: 844-448-0110
Email: [email protected] Service areas: Throughout the U.S. (limited coverage in South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming) About: Established in 2017 in New York, New York, Houzeo covers all major MLS in Florida. They charge more than most flat fee listing services but offer a wide range of helpful add-ons that are priced a la carte. They offer four levels of service ranging from Bronze to Platinum. Reviews and rating summary: Houzeo holds a 4.9-star rating with Google customer reviews. Positive reviews speak of the service clients received from their assigned reps, such as expert knowledge, responsiveness, professionalism, and prompt problem-solving. A few negative reviews speak of errors on the MLS, a refund complaint, and confusion with the website interface. Website: ISoldMyHouse.com
Phone: 855-283-0001
Email: [email protected] About: Established in 1997 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, ISoldMyHouse.com covers major MLS in the U.S. except for North Dakota. Their two packages are limited to six months of basic MLS services that vary only by the number of photos you can list and include syndication. Depending on your location, your listing may be referred to an agent who will contact you to complete your listing. Their website includes informational videos and blogs to assist your FSBO efforts. Reviews and rating summary: ISoldMyHouse.com has a 4.7 out of 5-star customer rating on Google reviews. Happy customers praised the easy online process, responsiveness of staff, and were satisfied with the money they saved. Unsatisfied reviewers expressed concerns about a lack of professionalism or poor communication with their company representative. Website: listwithfreedom.com
Phone: 855-456-4945
Email: [email protected] About: Established in 2005 in Boynton Beach, Florida, List With Freedom covers all MLS in the U.S. except Alaska, Hawaii, and Kansas. Their Silver package offers basic listing services with one photo. They offer four levels of service ranging from Silver to Platinum+. Reviews and rating summary: List with Freedom holds a 3.2-star Google customer rating. Happy customers praised the simple process and the money they saved. One reviewer added that they were pleased with the “tools and contacts to make our home look beautiful.” Unhappy customers expressed concerns over the response they received from their listing, communication issues, or a lack of customer service. Experienced sellers * Limited assistance through the platform A flat fee real estate agent might be a good option if you want more control of your home sale but need the guidance of a professional. A flat fee agent will list and sell your home and provide limited services. The average cost for a flat fee agent is $3,000 to $5,000. However, some may charge an additional percentage at closing, so read your listing agreement carefully. You can seek out the services of a low-commission or discount real estate broker. These companies or agents typically charge more (1% to 2% of your home sale) than flat fee agents. However, they will accept a reduced commission and often still provide some of the basic services and support you might receive from a full-commission agent. With a discount broker, you will still be on the hook for the full buyer’s commission. If you’re considering this route, you may want to check with local agents to see if they would be willing to negotiate a discounted commission. Online FSBO platforms offer both more options and fewer options than flat fee MLS services. In addition to flat fee listings, they may offer FSBO-only (non-MLS) listings, in-depth self-service FSBO platforms, and/or limited agent assistance for a flat fee or discounted commission. Some of the flat fee MLS companies we’ve listed above have packages that fall in this platform option category. Others might include: List with a top-performing local real estate agent, who will provide dedicated full services in addition to listing your home. An experienced local agent has the advantage of knowing current market trends for your area, leveraging local connections with contractors and sales contacts, and having the professional skills to sell your home faster with the best results. “We live in a free market where you can sell your home online if you want. If it was easy to sell your home and for the most amount of money, we’d see more of it. But year over year, nine out of ten people are using an agent, because there’s a real benefit there,” says Keyser. Some of the benefits of using a full-service, full-commission real estate agent or broker include: HomeLight’s Agent Match platform can match you to some of the best agents in your area. While it’s possible to save money on the listing agent commission fee, you may be losing money in the long run. Not only will you be sacrificing time and work, but you will also be proceeding without the expertise of a professional who could save or earn you money later when negotiating with a potential buyer. If you add in the cost of your time and the likelihood of a lower sale price, you might not realize the savings you hope to see. According to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) report, the median sale for a FSBO home is $260,000, which is 7% less on average than properties represented by an agent. In addition, HomeLight data shows that homes listed with a top-performing agent sell for up to 10% more than those listed with an average agent. Here is an example of how these selling situations might compare: Selling FSBO = $260,000
Selling with an average agent = $318,000
Selling with a top-rated agent = $349,800 In this example, even after deducting a 6% agent commission of $20,988, the selling price with a top agent may still come in at $68,812 more than the FSBO selling price. Of course, your results can vary widely depending on the condition and features of your home, its location, and current market conditions. “The biggest benefit to using a flat fee service is saving the real estate commission. But even with a flat fee listing, you’re [typically] getting less money than you would paying a fee to a Realtor. And that’s directly tied to incorrectly pricing your property and not negotiating the best price,” cautions Keyser. If you need to sell your home fast, you can seek a cash offer from a house-buying company, such as an iBuyer or a We Buy Houses investor group. One of the most convenient ways to sell your home fast is HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. You can skip repairs, showings, and commissions and receive a no-obligation cash offer in as little as 72 hours. If you accept the offer, you can close in as few as 10 days. Depending on the state or region where you live, disclosure laws may be non-optional. For more information about required disclosures, search for the disclosure form from your state legislature or local real estate association. In addition to making the required disclosures, some states require an attorney to sell your FSBO home. Even if your state does not require an attorney for your home sale, it’s highly recommended that you hire one to help you understand the terms of your contract, oversee your documentation, and reduce your risk of liability. It’s also important to make sure that deadlines and obligations are met when you enter into a contract. If your flat fee service doesn’t have a system to help with that, you’ll need to keep track. “You can get yourself in trouble just by not knowing what you’re doing,” Keyser explains. “I worked with a seller who had tried to sell FSBO and entered a contingent contract, and the sale was going nowhere. The buyer never paid in their escrow. So the house was sitting in no man’s land for months with no closing date and no accountability. At the same time, the seller missed an opportunity on the buy side for a home they really loved. It was simple to get them out of the deal because the buyer hadn’t held up their end. We sold the property for $50,000 more than their FSBO contract.” Listing a house by owner in your local MLS is the first step to getting the maximum exposure of your FSBO home. But doing so requires the assistance of a listing agent or the services of a flat fee MLS company. With a flat fee listing service, you can avoid paying the listing agent commission and maintain complete control of your home sale. While you may save on the listing commission, know that FSBO listings tend to sell for less than agent-assisted sales. An experienced agent who knows the area can help you maximize your sale price and get a premium offer. This can help to offset or, in some cases, more than make up for the cost of commission. If you choose to go FSBO, you should have a good idea now of what to expect from a flat fee MLS listing company. If you choose to maximize your profit and save the time and potential headaches of a FSBO sale, HomeLight’s Agent Match platform can connect you with some of the top-performing agents in your local market. LEARN MOREPros, Cons, and Tips to Sell Your House Without a RealtorHow to Sell a House by OwnerSelling a House “As Is” Top Housebuying CompaniesWhat is a flat fee MLS listing service?
What sellers might benefit from a flat fee MLS service?
Pros and cons of using a flat fee MLS listing service
How do I list my home with a flat fee MLS service?
Are flat fee MLS listings effective?
How much does a flat fee MLS service cost?
Flat fee MLS listing companies
FSBO.com: $399.95
Houzeo: $299-$1,299
ISoldMyHouse.com: $299-$399
List With Freedom: $89-$295
Comparison of flat fee MLS companies for FSBOs
Services
FSBO.com
Houzeo
I Sold My House
List with Freedom
Best For
Tech challenged sellers
Add on options
Online resources
Savings
Cost
$400
$299-$1,299
$299-$399
$89 -$295
Turnaround
Varies
36 hours
Varies
24-48 hours
Listing Term
6 months
3-12 months
6 months
6-12 months
Updates
Unknown
$25 each
Unknown
Unlimited
Forms
Unknown
Disclosures with upgrade
Unknown
Disclosures
Number of Photos
20 to Max
6-Max
6-10 or 25
1-Max
Photo Assist
No
No
No
No
Yard Sign
Add-on
Add-on or upgrade
No
No
Marketing Assist*
Print on Demand
No
No
No
Syndication
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Lockbox
No
Add-on
No
Upgrade
Showing Assist*
No
Upgrade
No
Add-on or upgrade
Pricing Assist/Market Analysis*
Add on
Upgrade
No
No
Open House*
Limited
Upgrade
No
Add-on or upgrade
Offer/NegotiationAssistance*
No
Upgrade
No
No
Money-Back Guarantee
Cancel anytime
Cancel anytime
Yes
Cancel anytime
Closing Assist*
No
Upgrade
No
No
Agent Assist*
No
Upgrade
Upgrade
No
Alternatives to a flat fee MLS service
Option 1: Flat fee real estate agent
Option 2: Discount real estate brokers
Option 3: For sale by owner (FSBO) platform
Option 4: Full-service, experienced real estate agent
The biggest benefit to using a flat fee service is saving the real estate commission. But even with a flat fee listing, you’re [typically] getting less money than you would paying a fee to a Realtor. And that’s directly tied to incorrectly pricing your property and not negotiating the best price.
Will I save money with a flat fee MLS listing service?
What if I need to sell my home fast?
What else should I know about selling a house FSBO?
Ready to sell your home?
